had a nice day hike and climb of Tom, via the Tungstar Mine. It was one of the nicest days I remember this entire year. Comfortable on the summit with barely a breeze. Encountered some mixed scrambling with snow on the north side of the SW ridge.

Took wide chute before Horton Lake and jumped on SW ridge. Very fun Class 3 scrambling even with 35mph gusts. Scree skated back to trail to Tungstar mine and tagged Hanging Valley Pk on the way out. Great day!

After crossing out of Horton Lake Valley, took the road toward the tungsten mine for about one-third mile before moving up and following the southwest ridge toward the summit. Hiking the talus there was work but much more fun than my aborted 2012 attempt to ascend directly from the tungsten mine via the slippery scree trails. After summiting, descended via the trail to the tungsten mine in order to get down as quickly as possible, with hail falling and lightening striking peaks off to the west.

Started out at Rovana, gaining the ridge at its lowest point (ca. 5,000'), making for an 8,000'+ day. Left truck (slightly uphill) at 10.11 (had wanted to start much earlier, but raining on ridge until shortly before I started), starting up ridge at 10.26.

A brutal 'hike' from the get-go, with steep sand, along with circuitous route-finding required to avoid ever-present brush. Things improved somewhat in the tree zone (less brush, at least), and got better the higher one went; that is, until one starts encountering the numerous, heart-breaking false summits...

Summited finally at 18.33. A couple of summit photos, signing the summit register, and opening the obligatory summit beer. Left summit at 18.53.

Managed to descend a few thousand ft. before enveloped by darkness; part of me didn't want to do the descent in the darkness, so I initially made an attempt at bivying, to hold out until the sun arrived. I got chilly, though, and eventually decided it would be better to go and at least make a descent attempt, staying warm in the process. Descent ended up being mostly uneventful, and eventually got back to the truck at 5.16. WHAT A DAY!!!!

If it weren't for the sheer amount of SLOGGING and vertical gain, some scrambling sections would actually be enjoyable. While it is cool to finally have done Mt. Tom, and from the bottom all the way to the top, it is a BRUTAL undertaking; not sure I could recommend it but to the heartiest masochists.

We camped at the easternmost Gable Lake and made it up to Hanging Valley via an easy class 3 chute to the north of "Four Gables Pass". From there it was the standard route up the backside of the peak. Lots of loose rock, but well worth it considering the views from the top!

Road to Horton Lakes, the normal route, was washed out. Decided to go up from other side, Gable Lakes. We had to avoid lots of hard snow which required a long circuitous route going up (was able take a more direct route coming down)making for a long day, great views from the top

On the snow after only 20 minutes of hiking, then a long ways up to the north ridge and up to the summit. It is a LONG way from the ridge to the summit, much longer than I thought. Awesome 5000 foot ski descent all the way back almost to my car. Sweet canyon and an awesome ride down.